Typewriter



July 18, 1939. A. VOGT 2,166,383

TYPEWRITER Filed Oct. 28, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iwvewlor: Azfkecl l/o f AZZLOPWGJI A. VOGT TYPEWRITER July 18, 1939.

Filed Oct. 28, 1932 45heets-Sheet 2 i-fivewfor: AZfre Z 092- M y Artur-778] July 18, 1939. A. VOGT 2,166,383

TYPEWRITER Filed Oct. 28, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 j'nvewZ or: AZf/"ed Vogf w A. VOGT TYPEWRITER July 18, 1939.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 28, 1932 A ZZor-ney Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TYPEWRITEB Application October 28, 1932, Serial No. 640,106 In Germany August 21, 1931 13 Claims.

This invention has for its object to provide a ty writer of maximum noiselessness permitting a maid key action and yet having great simplicity of construction and durability.

Noiseless typewriters are known having type bars each supported by two links and whereof the types are relieved from key action at the printing point and are caused to print by momentuiii. In such machines equipped with a simple platen shift, each type bar carries a plurality of type groups, for example two groups, each having two types so arranged that two key levers are associated with each type bar. In order to selectively print one or the other type group, means are provided for shifting each type bar into another path between normal and printing position when striking one of the two keys associated therewith. To achieve this, separate shift membets are necessary, which on striking the difiii in diiiereht ways at least one of the two links supporting the type bar. In the known machines this iesult is achieved by providing that the joint one of the links is movable. This arrangemerit has the disadvantage that the drive and transmission members between the keys and the type bars are greatly complicated and have to be or expensive construction. The wear of the many small and delicate parts and their bearings is also so considerable that these'machines have a short life and are not economical.

The present invention has for its primary objeotto overcome thesaid disadvantage in a typewriter having type bars each supported by two links and whereof the types are relieved from key action at the printing point and are caused to print under momentum. The main feature of the present invention consists in that the type bars each carry two types and are each actuated by a single key through drive and transmission members and are so arranged in their normal position that the type heads lie in an approximately horizontal plane in front of the platen axis and occupy an arc of approximately 90, the 45 radius of which arc is a function of half the number 01' types, the width of the type heads, and their minimum separation from each other, and the type bars being so guided by the links that the types move in an approximately linear path to the printing point.

In a modified construction according to this invention there is obtained a better utilization of the space equired to accommodate the movements of the type bars and the links supporting them, whereby the machine can be made smaller ferent keys associated with one type bar, influence in size. Furthermore, in this modification the type bars are given a very precise guiding during their entire printing movement, lateral deviation of the type bars being prevented, and the impact of the types against the platen taking place exactly in the axis of the same.

These advantages are achieved essentially by so arranging the links and their joints that the middle and rear parts of the type bars during their movement from the position of rest or normal position to printing position traverse an arcshaped path, while the types traverse a linear path.

The invention enables the printing mechanism of the typewriter to be of exceedingly simple construction and to occupy a very small space. Also the manufacture is rendered more economical and the assembly of the drive and transmission members is made easier. The machine can also be more easily kept in good condition and has a long life of reliable operation. The typewriter according to the present invention also permits high speed of operation with extreme silence of the entire mechanism and of the printing. Exceedingly sharp and clear impressions of the type, and a large number of good copies, are obtainable.

The drawings illustrate diagrammatically as side views three constructional examples according to the invention, in which:

Figure 1 shows the first constructional form with the parts in position of rest or normal position,

Fig. 2 shows the same construction in the position in which the type bars are relieved from the action of the keys and are automatically further advanced by momentum,

Fig. 3 shows the parts in position when the types strike the platen,

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show corresponding positions of the various parts in the second constructional form,

Fig. 7 shows another constructional form with the parts in position of rest or normal position, and

Fig. 8 shows the same with the parts in striking position.

In the first two forms of construction, each type bar i is supported by two links 3 and 5. The front link 3 is pivoted at 4 to the machine frame. and the rear link 5 is pivoted at 6 to a bracket 1. The links 3 and 5 are jointedly connected to the type bar I. According to the invention, the type bars I each carry two type characters 2 and are each actuated by a single key a. 0n striking the key Ila, a key lever H which moves against the action oi a tension spring 20 actuates a drive member l2 (Figs, 1 to 3) or 23 (Figs. 4 to 6) through a link rod I3, which drive member actuates a transmission lever I I. To the transmission lever I I there is pivoted at III an intermediate member 9 carrying a small or fly weight 9. In the two first shown constructional forms of the invention, the intermediate member 3 preferably engages the rear link 5 of the type bar I and is also pivotally connected thereto.

The two types 2 associated witha key Ila are preferably arranged on a common type head2a. The arrangement of the type bars I is such that in their positions oi rest or normal position (Figs. 1 and 4) all the type heads 2!! lie in an approximately horizontal plane in front of the center of the platen 42 in an arc of approximately 90. The type heads 2a are arrangedas closely as possible to the printing point which corresponds to nearly the center of this are. so that the radius of the arc is a function of half the number of the types 2, the width of the type heads 20., and the minimum separation between them,

Each type bar I is so connected with its two links 3 and 5 that they form therewith a jointed quadrangle. The arrangement is such that the type bar I is so guided by the links 3 and 5 in its movement initiated by striking the key Ila, that the types 2 move in an approximately linear path from the normal position (Figs. 1 and 4) to the printing position (Figs: 3 and 6).

In this manner the path of the individual types 2 between the normal and printing positions is maintained as short as possible. This enables the speed of impact of the types in printing to be low, thus greatly reducing the noise of impact. The driving and transmission members are located below the type bars I which reduces the size of the machine.

The fixed stop limiting the movement of the key I4 and the drive member I2 consists, in the first form of construction according to Figs. 1 to 3, of a stop pin 39 fixed in the bracket of the machine frame, which pin extends through an opening 21 in the drive member I2, and in the two end positions of the drive members Ila, I4, I3 and I2 it contacts with opposite sides of the opening respectively.

In this construction the drive member I2 is a curved arm, the curve of which, when the key Ha is struck, rolls upon an upper curved portion of an extension I1 01' the transmission lever II, thereby rocking the latter in clockwise direction. The striking movement of the key Ila and the drive members I4, I3 and I2 is arrested by the contact of one side of the opening 21 against the fixed pin 30. The drive member I2 is thus brought into the lower position shown in Fig. 2, and remains in this position while the transmission lever II and the parts 9, 9, i, I, 3, 2a and 2 associated therewith advance owing to their momentum and without further key action, into the striking position shown in Fig. 3.

To prevent overthrow oi the transmission members, that is, an excess movement of the individual elements thereof under the action of momentum beyond the position corresponding to the striking position, and to avoid breaking the toggle joint formed by the members I and I, a pro- Jection 2| is provided on the transmission lever II which cooperates with the tail I3 01 the drive member I2. The striking oi this projection 2I against the tail I! prevents overthrow ot the members II, 3 and 5 at the instant of printing beyond the position corresponding to the printing position of the types 2 and consequent jamming of said members. Furthermore, the return movement of the transmission members is assisted and accelerated under the action of a tension spring Ill connected to a lug 22 of the lever II.

After the return of the drive and transmission members to the position of rest or normal position, Fig. 1, the tail IB or the drive member I2 lies adjacent the end of the lug 22, which prevents the drive and transmission members from rebounding irom normal position and vibrating after they have returned thereto. The return movement of the type bars I is also further controlled by means of dogs I5 on the type bars I which engage elastic pads I6 when the members return from the striking position (Fig. 3) to the normal position (Fig. 1).

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the drive member consists of a cam 23 having a hook-shaped body 2i as shown in the drawings. The opening 25 of the hook-shaped cam 23 cooperates with a driver pin or roll 26 on the transmission lever II.

Actuation of the key Ila. causes the key lever II and the link I3 to effect a clockwise shifting of the cam 23 and the curve of the hook opening 25 engages the roll 26 on the transmission lever II to cause the latter also to move clockwise. The mechanism is thereby brought into the position shown in Fig. 5, corresponding to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the first form of construction. The key Ila. has then reached its lowermost position.

The cam 23 has a notch 21a bounded by two shoulders 29 and 29. In normal position, Fig. 4, 1,

the shoulder 28 lies in contact with a stop pin 30a fixed to the frame bracket I, and in the intermediate position shown in Fig. 5, the shoulder 29 makes contact with this pin. Downward movement of the key Ila and the corresponding movement of the other drive members I4, I3 and 23 is thus arrested by the shoulder 29 striking the fixed stop pin 39a. The transmission members II and 9, the links 5 and 3, and also the type bars I along with the type heads 2a, are then advanced by momentum, assisted by the fly weight 9, into the position shown in Fig. 6, in which one of the types 2 contacts against the platen 42.

Excess movement of the transmission members II, 9 and 5 beyond the position corresponding to printing position of the types 2, and consequent overthrow and jamming of the members and breaking of the toggle joint formed by the members 5 and I, is prevented in the construction of tion of Fig. 6 to normal position of Fig. 4, is

prevented from rebounding from this position and from vibration, as in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and described in the foregoing.

In the third constructional form illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the type bars I', each oi which carries a type head 2a having two types 2, are so arranged that the type heads 2a in their normal position (Fig. 7) lie in an approximately horizontal plane in front of the axis of the platen 42, and occupy an arc of about The distance of the types 2 from the printing point ll is thus a function of half the number of the types 2, the width of the type heads 20 and the minimum separation between the latter. The type bars I are each supported by a front link 3' and a rear link a. The front link 3' is pivoted at 31 to the machine frame and at 38 to the type bar I, while the rear link is pivoted at 35 to the machine frame and at 36 to the type bar I. The type bars, I in the normal position shown in Fig. 7, assume a backwardly inclined position, in which their middle and rear portions extend below thehorizontal plane through the center of the platen.

The pivotal connections 33 and 33 of the links 50 and 3', and the middle and rear part of the type bar I move in an arcuate path from the nornial position of Fig. 7 into the printing positionof Fig. 8, while the fore part of the type bar I, the head In and the types 2 move in an approximately linear path to the printing point ll on the platen l2.

This arrangement makes it possible to bring the whole drive mechanism closer to the platen l2 and to reduce the space required to accommodate the movement of the drive and transmission members, the type bars I, and the links 3' and a. Owing to the arcuate movement of the middle and rear portions of each type bar I, it is possible to guide each type bar during its entire striking movement in a particularly advantageous manner, thus preventing any lateral deviation. According to the present invention the middle and rear parts of the type bar I are guided for this purpose in a curved guide 44 corresponding to their are shaped path. In addition to a reliable striking movement and minimum wear of the joints, this effective guidance through the entire path of movement of the type bars l makes it possible for-the type bars i an the links 3' and 5a supporting the same to br made very thin.

The drive of each type bar I is effected by means of its associated key Ma, the corresponding key lever H, the link l3 and the drive mem ber 23. The movement of the key Ho. is transmitted by the driver member 23' to the transmission members ll, 9 and 5b, which latter during the final portion of the printing movement, are relieved of the action of the key and are brought into printing position, Fig. 8, by momentum, assisted by the fly weight 8. The last member 5b of the transmission mechanism does not directly engage the type bar I, as in the other two forms of construction, but constitutes a toggle lever with a separate drive bar 45. This drive bar is preferably so arranged that it engages the type bar I at a point located between the type head 2a and the joint 38 of the front link 3'. This arrangement provides a very favorable transmission of force whereby the force is applied directly in the direction of movement and striking of the types 2, and in close proximity to the types. This is the case both during the movement of the type bars resulting from striking the key Ila, and during the movement under their momentum and the action of the fly weights 3. By means of this arrangement the drive rod l5 together with the guiding of the type bar I by the guide It permit increased accuracy of the approximately linear striking movement of the types 2 against the platen 42.

The joints 35, 36, 31 and 38 of the two links in. and 3' are so arranged that in the striking position, Fig. 8, the intersection of the line 39 connecting the joints 35 and 36 of the link in with the line ll connecting the joints 31 and 38 of the link 3', lies in a plane 43, which is tangential with the printing point 44 on the platen 42.

This arrangement of the joints 35, 36, 31 and 33 causes the impact of the types 2 against the platen 42 to take place always exactly in the direction of the axis of the platen whereby slipping of the types on the paper is prevented and sharp impression of the type, without blurring, is achieved even when a large number of copies are made.

The operation of the parts 2!, It, 25', 28, 21 and 30' is similar to that ot the parts 23, 24,, 25, 26, 21 and 2', respectively, shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

I claim as my invention:

1. A typewriter comprising a machine frame; a platen; a plurality of keys; a plurality of type bars; a pair of links for each type bar; drive and transmission means between each key and its type bar for operating the type bar by its key; a fixed bearing on the machine frame for the end of each of said links to provide a pivotal mounting for each link, each type bar being driven by a single key from itsposition of rest only to a position just in front or before the printing position its further movement to the printing position being effected by momentum forces; and a set of types of which two types are attached on each type bar, said types being arranged in the position of rest in two rows forming circular arcs of approximately 90 lying one above the other in planes substantially horizontal and parallel to and extending infront of the axis of the platen.

2. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which stop members are provided on the drive and transmission means cooperating with each key and its type bar to prevent an overthrow of the parts beyond the position corresponding to the printing position of the types.

3. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which stop mt mbers are provided on the drive and transmission means cooperating with each key and its type bar to prevent an overthrow of the parts beyond the position corresponding to the printing position of the types and a rebound of the parts from the position of rest after having returned from the printing position, the stop on a drive member being in the form of a tail piece.

4. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which stop members are provided on the drive and transmission means cooperating with each key and its type bar to prevent an overthrow of the parts beyond the position corresponding to the printing position of the types and a rebound of the parts from the normal position of rest after having returned from the printing position, the stop on a drive member being in the form of a hookshaped body.

5. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which stop members are provided on the drive and transmission means cooperating with each key and its type bar to prevent an overthrow of the parts beyond the position cvorresponding to the printing position of the types and a rebound of the parts from the position of rest after having returned from the printing position, the movement of the transmission means, when the printing position is reached and after return from that position to the position of rest, being limited by engagement between projections on a transmission lever with correspondingly shaped parts on a drive member.

6. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the pivotal connections or the links with the type rece t No. 2,166,58

4 aromas bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shape path and its type head moves through an agfioximately linear path.

'7. A typewriter according to claim 1, in 'which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, and in which a curved guide is provided for each type bar to guide the type bar in its arcuate path.

8. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, and in which a curved guide is provided for each type bar to guide the type bar in its arcuate path and a drive bar is connected to each type bar and to the transmission means to actuate the type bar.

9. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, and in which a curved guide is provided for each type bar to guide the type bar in its arcuate path, and a drive bar is pivotally connected at one end to each type bar at a point of the latter between the type head and the next link connection and at the other end to the transmission means to actuate the type bar.

10. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, the joints of the pivotal connections for the links of each link forming lines in the printing position which intersect in a plane tangential to the platen at the printing point.

11. A typewriter according to claim 1, in'which stop members are provided on the drive and transmission means cooperating with each key and its type bar to prevent a rebound of the parts from the position of rest after having returned from the printing position.

12. A typewriter having keys and a platen, and provided with type bars, two links for controlling each bar, said type bars being freed, at the point of printing, from the action of the said keys and caused to print by momentum forces, wherein each type bar has a head carrying two types, said heads being arranged, in the position of rest, in a circular arc of approximately extent in a plane lying approximately horizontal in front of the center of the typewriter platen at a distance from the printing point which is as small as possible, and dependent upon the number of type heads, means whereby said heads are moved by means of the aforesaid links in approximately linear paths up to the printing point, including drive and transmission members for actuating the typ bars, said tyys bars being pivotaiiy connected th said links. said transmission members being connected with operating bars which engage against the portions of the type bars which lie between the type heads and the pivotal connections of the type bars with the forward links.

13. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the drive and transmission means include a drive member actuating a transmission lever by means of a curved cam surface and a roll running on said surface.

ALFRED VOGT.

CERTIFIoA'i'E or CORRECTION.

ALFRED VOGT.

I Et ishereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, sec- 0nd column, line 56, claim strike out the "normal"; line 6b,, claim 5, for "over-responding" read corresponding; and that the said Letters Patout should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day or April, A. 0.19m.

(Seal) Hem-y Van Az-edale, Acting Comissioner of Patents.

rece t No. 2,166,58

4 aromas bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shape path and its type head moves through an agfioximately linear path.

'7. A typewriter according to claim 1, in 'which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, and in which a curved guide is provided for each type bar to guide the type bar in its arcuate path.

8. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, and in which a curved guide is provided for each type bar to guide the type bar in its arcuate path and a drive bar is connected to each type bar and to the transmission means to actuate the type bar.

9. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, and in which a curved guide is provided for each type bar to guide the type bar in its arcuate path, and a drive bar is pivotally connected at one end to each type bar at a point of the latter between the type head and the next link connection and at the other end to the transmission means to actuate the type bar.

10. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the pivotal connections of the links with the type bars and the machine frame are so arranged that the middle and rear part of each type bar during its movement from the position of rest to printing position traverses an arc-shaped path and its type head moves through an approximately linear path, the joints of the pivotal connections for the links of each link forming lines in the printing position which intersect in a plane tangential to the platen at the printing point.

11. A typewriter according to claim 1, in'which stop members are provided on the drive and transmission means cooperating with each key and its type bar to prevent a rebound of the parts from the position of rest after having returned from the printing position.

12. A typewriter having keys and a platen, and provided with type bars, two links for controlling each bar, said type bars being freed, at the point of printing, from the action of the said keys and caused to print by momentum forces, wherein each type bar has a head carrying two types, said heads being arranged, in the position of rest, in a circular arc of approximately extent in a plane lying approximately horizontal in front of the center of the typewriter platen at a distance from the printing point which is as small as possible, and dependent upon the number of type heads, means whereby said heads are moved by means of the aforesaid links in approximately linear paths up to the printing point, including drive and transmission members for actuating the typ bars, said tyys bars being pivotaiiy connected th said links. said transmission members being connected with operating bars which engage against the portions of the type bars which lie between the type heads and the pivotal connections of the type bars with the forward links.

13. A typewriter according to claim 1, in which the drive and transmission means include a drive member actuating a transmission lever by means of a curved cam surface and a roll running on said surface.

ALFRED VOGT.

CERTIFIoA'i'E or CORRECTION.

ALFRED VOGT.

I Et ishereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, sec- 0nd column, line 56, claim strike out the "normal"; line 6b,, claim 5, for "over-responding" read corresponding; and that the said Letters Patout should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day or April, A. 0.19m.

(Seal) Hem-y Van Az-edale, Acting Comissioner of Patents. 

